The Biological Actions of the Glutathione/Disulfide System: An Overview

Abstract

Glutathione (GSH) and its disulfide (GSSG) have been the object of considerable interest, during the last ten or fifteen years, on the part of investigators acting in many different areas of biological research. Such interest is justified by the multifunctional properties of this tripeptide, involving, for example, metabolism of intermediates, enzyme mechanisms, biosynthesis of macromolecules, drug metabolism, radiation, cancer, oxygen toxicity, transport, immune phenomena, endocrinology, environmental toxins, and aging.